Human trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Traffickers use violence, false promises of a career or romantic relationship, and deception to lure victims into situations where they are forced to work for little or no pay. They can be bought and sold like commodities in markets or held captive behind closed doors in illegal massage parlors, cantinas, and brothels. Victims are also compelled to perform sexual exploitation or be subjected to various forms of labor in legal and illicit industries and sectors, including hospitality, travel agency crews, agriculture, construction, janitorial services, restaurants, factories, hair and nail salons, escort services, fairs and carnivals, peddling and begging, drug smuggling and distribution, and more.
Some victims are isolated from others by geography or language and often experience emotional abuse, neglect, and physical assault. They may be charged enormous debt bondage rates that they can never repay and are restricted from leaving their situation by having access to only a small allowance or having any of their earnings confiscated by their trafficker. They may be confined to a specific area or place of employment and live a life of isolation and deprivation while struggling with addiction issues. They may describe their situation using a third-person omniscient point of view, which is often a defense mechanism to conceal the abuse or help cope with feelings of shame and guilt.
People with lived experience of human trafficking are experts in their own experiences and should be involved in all aspects of developing, implementing, and evaluating anti-trafficking efforts. To be effective, strategies should address the intersection of social policy and norms, such as immigration policies, housing and homelessness policies, anti-Black racism, and 2SLGBTQIA+ protections, that either prevent or drive vulnerability to trafficking in persons.